Prime Minister Erdogan’s aspirations to restore Turkey’s national glory and to unify the Islamic world have been unhinged by rebellion in Syria and the region’s ferocious rivalries and inflexible dogma.

New Republic correspondent and World Affairs blogger James Kirchick argues against the folly of linkage—i.e., the assumption that fixing the peace process will somehow cure all of the Middle East's other ailments.

In Reset, former New York Times reporter Stephen Kinzer argues for shaking up our traditional ties in the Mideast—and getting more friendly with Turkey and Iran. James Kirchick explains why it shouldn't happen—and never would, anyway.

Michael J. Totten's blog Some people insist on viewing the conflict between Syria and Lebanon strictly through the prism of U.S. foreign policy in the region. I understand why it’s tempting to do this if you’re ...